Air-cleansing humidifier



` A 1,640,641 Aug 30 1927 w. J. BRIDGES AIR CLEANSING HUMI DI FIB R Filed May 22. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Au 30 Y1927.

-g w. J. BRIDGES AI-R cLEANsING HUMIDIFI'ER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 2g. 192s LW atto: uur

Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED STATES WALTER JUDD BRIDGES, OF T`W'O RIVERS, WISCONSIN AIR-CLEANSING HUMIDIFIER.

Application filed May 22,

My invention relates to humidifiers such as are designed for application to the steam, vapor or hot water radiators of domestic heating systems or the like. and it has for its primary object to provide a novel and improved means whereby the air in the room wherein it is located will be positively caused to circulate. Further, the invention comprehends in a device of this character a novel means for purifying the air as it passes therethrough-and also a very simple and efficient means for controlling the velocity of circulation.

Uther objects, economies and advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated as the description' proceeds.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention are pointed out with particularly in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification, Howeven-for a better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings in the reading of the following descriptive matter, the drawings illustrating` what I now regard as a preferred embodiment. I am aware that the law permits me to make such modifications and departures as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the invention applied to a radiator;

Fig. 2 is a cross section;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. il is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3,

F 5 a perspective detail of a curtain member and its support.

Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like ,reference characters designate similar parts in all views, numeral 2 designates generally a rectangular casing having a front wall 3 end walls 4 and a back wall 5. The casing Q is cabinetlike in form and is preferably formed of sheet metal although other materials may be employed if desired. The bottom of the casing is open so that it can be placed over the conventional form of steam or hot water radiator 6 as shown in the drawings. Feet 7 are provided whereby to support the casing in such fashion that the lower edges of its walls will be spaced from the floor so as to permit air to freely pass unwardly through the radiator and casing to the outlet 8 which 1926. Serial N0. 111,075.

is iu the form of a rectangular opening cut in the front wall 3 from the upper edge thereof.

A lid or closure 9 having an overhanging marginal flange 10 is hinged to the back wall 5 as indicated at 11. it being noted that the flange 10 is designed to snugly embrace the casing walls. At the front of the casing the flange l0 is provided with bearings 12 for the pintles 13 of a damper 14 which is thereby swingingly positioned to close the outlet 8 when the cover 9 is down.

The water reservoir 15 is of elongated rectangular form and has one longitudinal edge provided with a reverted flange 16 which designed to engage the front wall 3 at the lower edge of the outlet 8 as shown. The reservoir l5 is thus supported to lie against the frontwall 3 of the casing` between the saine and the radiator 6. The length of the water reservoir 15 is slightly greater than the length of the outlet opening S and its ends extend beyond the planes of the end walls of said opening. This relative arrangement is advantageous as will present-ly appear. A screen is provided in the form of a cloth like curtain 17 for overlying the opening 8 and it is supported by a U-shaped rod 1S which is removably carri'ed within the reservoir 15. The legs of the U-shaped member 1S are supported by the bottom of the reservoir 15 and, flatly bear against the end walls thereof. The legs of said U-shaped member have lateral supporting feet 19 which snugly fit in the reservoir bottom thus preventing any transverse tilting ot' the member 1S to maintain the hori- Zontal part of the U-shapcd member against the front wall 3 above the plane of the oullet opening 8. The curtain 17 is looped as at 17l1 to receive rod or member 18 and its width and the length of the horizontal part of member 18 is greater than the length of the outlet 8 so that the latter will be fully covered at all limes. Air can therefore, only escape by passing through the curtain 17, and since this curtain is suspended in the container it will be saturated with water at all times and will function as a wick. Air passing through the curtain 17 will not only be humidified, but will also be freed of particles of dirt, dust and the like. Since a constant circulation of air is set up in the room it will be appreciated that after a certain period of use of my humidifier the air of till lllll the room will be substantially tree ot dust. The path ot the circulating air is indicated by the ar.r ws in Fig. l, the cool air being drawn in through the louver section. 2() in .the lower part ot the front wall 3 and up through the open bottom of the easing 2 as tneviously explained. rllhe damper le can be adjusted to variably control the flow ot air outy through the outlet- 8 and may be held in adjusted position through the medium of a nut 2]. threaded upon the pintle 13 and designed to bind against the bearing l2 in a sett evident manner.

The cover t) will prelei'al'ily be lined with asbestos to prevent it trom becoming over heated and so that it will be available Ytor books or the like.

The water reservoir is readily accessible and can be lilled upon raising oic cover 9 without being rennin'cd. will be evident reservoir lo can be quick y lifted out of its position and requires no bolts or brackets to bold it in place. Likewise the U-sliapid member t8 forms a. very simple and convcin ient means t'or supporting the curtain 17. lts' being` supported by the bottom ot the reservoir lo and 'irictionally engagin the end walls. no other supporting or fastening means is necessary.

'libe part 20 ot the top lou ver `section engages back ot reservoir l5 and helps hold itin place against liront wall 5%. ThisI element. 20 is by no means essential(` though desirable.

Having thus defscribed my invention what l claim new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l, A combined radiator casing and humiditier having iront, rear and end walls, said trent wall being` provided with an outlet opening :tor the discharge ot heat and vapor saturated air. a substantially rectangular water pannv means ttor supporting said water pan within said casing adjacent the front wall therrot and below said outlet opening, an opstanding carrier yhaving a horizontal portion disposed above the top ot said opening and having a base portion supported upon the bottom ot said pan. the end ot said base portion engaging the rear wall ot said pan whereby to hold said carrier in close proxin'iity to the trent wall oit said pan, an absorbent screen supported upon the horizontal portion oit said upstanding carrier and depending into said pain the width oit said sere n being co-eXt-ensive with the width ot said opening` and said upstanding carrier serving to hold said Screen against the front walls of said pan and said casingr` and a closure for said opening.

ZA combined radiator casing and hu miditier having front, rear and end walls,

rsaid trontwwall being provided with an outlet opening` 'for the discharge ot heat and vapor saturated air, a substantially rectangular water pan, means tor supporting said water pan .within said casing in tlat contact with the 'liront wall thereof and below said outlet opening, an inverted Uehapod supporting rod removably positioned in said pan, means whereby the legs ot` sai d inverted U-shaped supporting rod will be held against swinging movement andin close proximity to the iront wall ol said pan, said inverted U-ehaped rod having its bight portion located above the upper edge ol' said pan ant above the plane of said opening. an absorlm ent screen supported upon the bight portion of saidi U-shaped supporting rod and de pending into said pan, the width ot said screen being tio-extensive with the width ot said opening, and said inverted lU-sliaped supporting rod serving to hold said screen against the jfront walls ot said pan.

3. A combined radiator casing and humidifier having front, rear and end walls, saidv 'front wall being provided with an outlet opening tor the discharge ot heat and vapor saturated air` a substantially rectangular water pan having its 'trout will provided with means tor removably supporting said pan interiorly ot the casingv and below said opening, the iront walls of said pan andy said casingr being flatly engaged with each other, an inverted tlshaped supporting rod removably positioned in said pan the legs of said U-shaped supporting rod being formed with 'toet designed to flatly rest upon the bottom ot said pan and to enga-ge the rear wall thereoi'v w ieroby the legs of said U-shaped rod will be held against swinging movement and in close proximity to the front wall of said pan. said Ushaped rod having its bight portion located above the upper edge ot` said pan and above the plane of said opening, an absorbent screen carried by the bightI portion of said rod and extending downwardlj,Y over the entire area ot said opening and into said vaporizing pan, andl said inverted tLsh-aped supportingrod serving to hold said screen against the front walls ot said pan and said easing.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

WALTER JUDD BRHGES. 

